Dacre found an original Bram journal in the home of one of the writer’s great grandson

It contains a unique octagonal room which is featured at the beginning of the story when newbie solicitor Jonathan Harker travels to Count Dracula’s castle in the Carpathian Mountains on the border of Transylvania.

Bram wrote: “The Count halted, putting down my bags, closed the door, and crossing the room, opened another door, which led into a small octagonal room lit by a single lamp, and seemingly without a window of any sort.”

And standing in the eerie ruins of the castle, Dacre said: “It’s amazing to think Bram stood on this same spot over 120 years ago.”

Growing up in Canada, Dacre had no idea about his literary connections until his dad pulled out a signed first edition copy of Dracula.

He said: “That’s when I was told Bram’s youngest brother George was my great grandfather.”

Now Dacre’s next book called Dracul — the father of Dracula — has been snapped up by Paramount pictures, with It director Andy Muschietti being tipped to bring it to the big screen.
He said: “I’ve asked the question ‘What if Bram’s connection with the vampire world actually happened?’ So the new book and movie will feature Bram Stoker with a Dracula character too.

"After all these years I finally have a real feel for what he experienced when he started writing Dracula here.

"It’s amazing to think Bram never went to Transylvania — but he couldn’t get enough of Cruden Bay."

Dacre Stoker will present Stoker on Stoker, the Mysteries Behind the Writing of Dracul, at Glasgow University Union tonight at 7.30pm.